Moonee Valley racing tips, form and odds, Saturday August 26

Moonee Valley

SPRING racing returns to Moonee Valley where 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin makes its eagerly-awaited season debut.

The eight-year-old has enjoyed a winter season in the paddock, but it’s back to business this Saturday as it endeavours to repeat in the great race at Flemington later this year.

It’s not the only star back on show as some talented speedsters return in the Johnnie Walker Plate and the McKenzie Stakes.

We have free tips, form and updated odds for every race at Moonee Valley this Saturday and we recommend signing up with Topbetta.com.au for a 300% sign up bonus when you deposit $50.

Global Tote at Topbetta

Race 1 – McMahon’s Dairy Handicap (2500m)

Master Zephyr stepped up to this distance last start and scored a good win over Kilimanjaro. The Darren Weir-trained six-year-old received a great ride from apprentice Ben Allen who retains the ride with his 1.5kg claim. That win came against a quality field and it shouldn’t find this too much harder at $3.60 in the betting.

Yogi is the current $3 favourite following its narrow win over stablemate Chequered Flag at Flemington. The five-year-old has a good turn-of-foot, but it does take awhile to get going. Moonee Valley might not be the best track for it, but there’s plenty of confidence with punters.

Race 1 tip: Master Zephyr to win ($3.60) at CrownBet.com.au.

Race 2 – Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m)

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Three-time winner Merriest resumes here after running fourth in the Euclase Stakes at Morphettville in May. The Danny O’Brien-trained four-year-old has form on this track with a win and a placing from two starts and it has found form fresh in the past. This isn’t an easy target first up, but consider at $5 after opening at a shorter quote.

Fragonard has won four from 10 and has relatively gone under the radar. The James Cummings-trained daughter of New Approach scored by six lengths at Sandown two starts back on a heavy track before running second behind the talented Pedrena at Caulfield. It’s undefeated in two fresh up starts and punters are getting a good price with bookmakers.

Race 2 tip: Fragonard to place ($2.25) at TopBetta.com.au

Race 3 – Johnnie Walker Plate (1200m)

We’re expecting Tulip to run in Sydney because of the better barrier draw, so we’ll opt for stablemate Madeenaty in this. The three-year-old was run down by subsequent winner Crown Witness last start, but it lost no admirers. The Lindsay Park-trained speedster will love sprinting around Moonee Valley and it’s drawn to use the rail to its advantage. Currently $4.80 with Tulip in the market.

Limestone showed some class last campaign when running second behind Catchy in the Blue Diamond Prelude. The Weir-trained three-year-old won its two starts prior to that and it defeated Tulip by a nose at Caulfield. It has firmed in from $4.20 to $4 which is a good sign and it should go close.

Race 3 tip: Madeenaty to win ($4.80) at Sportsbet.com.au

Race 4 – Ranvet Handicap (1600m)

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Jaminzah has looked above average winning its last two starts and it could pull off the three-peat. The Waller-trained runner likes to settle back in the run before launching late and Flemington has been a happy hunting ground for it, but it will need to get going earlier around The Valley. $6 is a fair each way price for an in-form runner.

Sin To Win is carrying plenty of betting support after its strong finish for third last start. The Lindsay Park-trained son of Sir Percy ran third behind Nozomi in its first Australian start after winning three races from five starts in New Zealand. Having its first start on this track is a worry, but it should go close at $2.90.

Race 4 tip: Sin To Win to win ($2.90) at WilliamHill.com.au

Race 5 – MSC Signs Handicap (2040m)

Almandin is currently a $6.50 chance in the market and it will attract plenty of attention. The Melbourne Cup winner has placed in three of its four fresh up starts and it has experience on this track. Carrying 61kg against fitter runners won’t make it easy, but we wouldn’t rule out the champion.

Pacodali defeated subsequent winner Master Zephyr last start which should be good form for this. The Weir-trained five-year-old is twice a winner at this distance and it handles all track conditions. It doesn’t have the class of some runners in this field, but it’s fit and punters are confident at $3.70 after touching $3.80.

Race 5 tip: Almandin to place ($2.25) at Bet365.com

Race 6 – Essendon Nissan McKenzie Stakes (1200m)

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Bandipur is a talented type which scored its maiden win by eight lengths. The Cummings-trained colt then went to Caulfield and fought on well behind I Did It Again before winning the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville. It’s good to see Craig Williams in the saddle and it has been specked at $3.80 after touching $3.90 earlier this week.

Azazel has had the benefit of a run to prepare for this and it has experience winning on this track. The Tony McEvoy-trained son of Snitzel was a game winner at Flemington last start and its win at Moonee Valley in October last year was special. It looms as a major winning chance at $5.50 if it can replicate that run.

Race 6 tip: Azazel to place ($2.10) at Topbetta.com.au

Race 7 – SAJ Fruit Supply Carlyon Stakes (1000m)

Speedeor won all three starts last campaign which culminated in the Magic Millions Classic win at Ballarat. The Weir-trained speedster didn’t get tested in all three runs and it was definitely one of the most improved horses having finished fifth on debut as the 41.85 favourite. There’s plenty to like about its chances and $6 is a great price.

Heatherly is the class runner of the field having won six of its 15 starts and placing in another six. The Ellerton/Zahra-trained five-year-old finished second in the Group 1 Moir Stakes behind Extreme Choice before running eighth in The Galaxy last time to the races. It has won twice fresh up and three times on this track, which is a big assist. It has drawn to rail up and be strong to the line at odds of $2.25.

Race 7 tip: Heatherly to win ($2.25) at Ladbrokes.com.au

Race 8 – Ladbrokes Handicap (1500m)

Duke of Brunswick has won seven from 29 starts, but it has placed a further 15 times and punters love the consistency. The Mick Price-trained six-year-old finished off well enough in the Bletchingly Stakes behind Ability on a heavy track and returning to The Valley will help its chances. It has won and placed there and punters have jumped on its opening quote of $4 and it’s now into $3.70.

Raw Impulse is fresh up after almost a year off. The Weir-trained stayer finished down the track as the odds-on favourite in the Moe Cup last October, but by all accounts it had returned well and it has won at this track and distance. There’s come confidence in the market at $4.80 so respect its chances.

Race 8 tip: Duke of Brusnwick to win ($3.70) at Topbetta.com.au

Race 9 – Art Series Hotel Group Handicap (1200m)

Oberland didn’t have much luck at Caulfield last start when getting held up at a crucial stage, but its form in Queensland should be respected. Now with Darren Weir, the son of Rothesay has won six from 16 and three of them have come at this distance. It opened at $6 and has dropped into $4.80. That’s a big move so watch the market movement.

Oak Door has also firmed in from $3.80 to $3.50 following a poor run in the Queensland Guineas in June. The Robert Smerdon-trained runner had shown good form prior when winning the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield and it wasn’t far away in the Straight Six. Nice winning hope.

Race 9 tip: Oak Door to place ($1.60) at CrownBet.com.au

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